Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Christian Dvorak, Dominique Ducharme, Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling, Pierre Gervais, Patrick Langlois, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — On Saturday, the Canadiens played in front of a full Bell Centre for the first time since the Habs hosted the Predators on March 10th, 2020. The capacity crowd was excited to finally see their favourite team following last season’s Stanley Cup final.

Geoff Molson kicked off the pre-game ceremonies with a short word for the fans, followed by a montage of emotional moments from the recent playoff run. Carey Price received the loudest cheer during the player introductions as the building chanted his name while his picture was shown on the scoreboard.

The Rangers spoiled the party by defeating the Habs 3-1. St-Eustache native Alexis Lafreniere scored the game winning goal in his first career NHL game at the Bell Centre.

“On five-on-five we didn’t give them much, because were placed well, we were quick to kill plays, we were more in our identity,” Dominique Ducharme said after the game.

The Canadiens will look to win their first game of the season on Tuesday when the San Jose Sharks visit the Bell Centre.

Scoring Troubles

Montreal has scored three total goals through the first three games of the season. It’s simply not enough to win.

“We have to be more dynamic offensively. We were more during the third period, but we have to be more consistent. It takes more presence in front of the net,” Ducharme said on Saturday. By correcting the two items that he listed, the coach feels that the goals will come and that will increase the players’ confidence.

“We’re playing outside a little bit too much, there’s a lot of rebounds laying in the slot, laying around the net, and not many guys are there to capitalize on those rebounds or get that dirty goal. We got shots, but we need more bodies around the net,” added Jonathan Drouin.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Tyler Toffoli are yet to record a single point. The three of them are expected to lead the team offensively. Ducharme split the trio for the Rangers game, but that didn’t deliver any results.

“I think when we forecheck well, and turn pucks over, and strike quick, that’s when were at our best. Some of the times, I felt like I can make a play, I’ve missed it, missed Cole in the slot one time from behind the net. Even last game, there’s plays that I need to be making, just aren’t happening right now,” Suzuki answered when asked about his production.

Dvorak Key Role

In the early surprise category, Jonathan Drouin leads the team with two goals. He’s the only forward to bury the puck behind the goalie, with defenceman Chris Wideman scoring the only other goal this season.

Since the beginning of training camp, Ducharme has united Drouin with Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson in a trio. The coach said that they were the best line in the games in Toronto and versus New York. Dvorak, acquired via trade during the off-season, has been key in their success.

“It’s the small things he does, the faceoffs that he wins to give us puck possession, the play he made on Drouin’s goal, he’s a complete hockey player. He’s not the guy that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but it’s the small details that he does all the time. he’s strong on the puck, he protects it, and rarely gives it easily to the opponent,” Ducharme said.

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#Habs Jonathan Drouin with a lot of patience to score goal vs #NYRangers

Assists: Dvorak, Kulak@AllHabs @RocketSports #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/l9SAaFNejx

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) October 17, 2021

Since the start of the season, Dvorak leads the forwards with 20:14 average ice, with a key role on the power play, and penalty kill. He has delivered on the faceoff circle, winning 58.8 percent of draws.

Special Teams Struggle

The Canadiens power play continues to struggle. It’s a recurring theme for several seasons. Montreal hasn’t been able to convert on the 11 opportunities through three games. Considering that the losses to the Maple Leafs and the Rangers (excluding the empty net goal) were one-goal differentials, the lack of success with the extra attacker has been costly. In the season opener, Montreal had a two-man advantage for 1:44, where they generated only one shot on goal.

“Obviously everyone gets frustrated when we’re not scoring on the power play. It hurts the whole team, and it takes away momentum for us. We have to do a better job,” Suzuki said.

Ducharme and assistant coach Alex Burrows need to figure out a solution quickly. The good news is that Mike Hoffman skated with his teammates for the first time on Saturday, and is expected to play this week. Hoffman was brought in as a power specialist during the offseason. Will that be sufficient to turn the power play around?

The penalty kill hasn’t been much better. Montreal leads the league with five power play goals allowed since the start of the season. Last season, the Habs finished 23rd on the penalty kill during the regular season, and first in the post season. During their 22-game playoff run, the Canadiens allowed five total power play goals.

The personnel decisions this season have changed compared to 2020-21. Last season, Ducharme and assistant coach Luke Richardson primarily used two forward units that had no power play responsibilities. This year, they have used three units, including Dvorak, Suzuki, and Toffoli that also have key roles on the power play.

Poehling Sidelined

After being assigned to Laval, Ryan Poehling had a strong debut on Friday, registering a goal. Head coach Jean-Francois Houle praised the forward’s performance.

“I thought he started a little slow, but as the game went on he won a lot of faceoffs. I think he’s only lost two faceoffs all game. He was a man out there, and really proud of him. He scored a nice goal, he’s big, he plays a power forward type of game, and really proud of him.”

Poehling hit Place Bell ice for the season opener with an ‘A’ on his jersey. “I think Ryan is there in his career. It’s time for him to be a leader. He was the leading scorer of the team last year, he’s played in this league for two-and-a-half years , he’s proven that he can play very hard at this level, he’s well liked in this locker room,” Houle explained the decision.

The forward didn’t finish Saturday’s game after getting hit on the head during a battle behind the net. He will be reevaluated, and an update on his status is expected on Monday.

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This is the sequence where Poehling was hit to the head and left the game@TheAHLReport @RocketSports #GoRocket pic.twitter.com/Do2EXCMUXk

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) October 17, 2021

Rocket Split Series

The Rocket split a home-to-home series against the Senators on the weekend to begin the regular season. On Friday, Laval scored four times in the second period to go on to win 6-2 in front of 8,609 fans at Place Bell.

“I was pretty relieved, and I was happy for the players. They were chopping at the bit to get on the ice with the big crowd for the first time in a long time. They were really excited,” Houle said after registering his first career win as head coach in the AHL.

Belleville got revenge on Saturday with an easy 5-2 win over Laval. “We didn’t play a full 60 minutes. I think we showed character at the end, we played a good final 20 minutes, but that’s not enough to win in this league,” captain Xavier Ouellet told 91.9 Sports.

Laval hosts Manitoba on Wednesday. In preparation for that matchup, Houle said that they will focus on improving the power play, and defensive coverage.

End of Era

The Canadiens announced on Saturday that this season will be Pierre Gervais‘ last as the team’s head equipment manager. He was honoured at the Bell Centre during a television timeout on Saturday.

“I would like to thank Pierre for all of his hard work, professionalism and dedication to the Montreal Canadiens during the last 35 years”, Marc Bergevin said via statement.

In addition to his work with the Canadiens, Gervais has served as an equipment manager in four Olympics, at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and at the 2005 World Hockey Championship in Austria.

“Pierre established himself as one of the top equipment managers in the hockey industry over the course of his career and we were very fortunate to have him with us all those years. The contacts and relationships he developed all around the world speak for themselves about his work ethic,” added the general manager.

Patrick Langlois will take over as head equipment manager starting next season. He has been a member of the Canadiens organization since the 1987-88 season.

Gervais will remain with the organization in a role that will be announced at a later date.

Lions Camp Opens

The Trois-Rivieres Lions are wrapping up their preparation in anticipation of Thursday night’s season opener against the Newfoundland Growlers.

“I’m very satisfied with the team that’s been assembled. It resembles a lot to what I was expecting, and to what we wanted to create. I think our team will be competitive,” general manager Marc-Andre Bergeron told Le Nouvelliste.

“We have a team that has character, speed, and finesse. I think that we can win several ways. I think that the fans will come to the Colisee Videotron to see a quality team in action,” added the former NHL player.

Bergeron has high expectations for the franchise’s inaugural season. “I want to win! It might be unrealistic to think that we’re going to win the last game of the year, and the championship. My goal is to win. It’s not complicated.”

Lions President Marc Weightman has been focused on the business side of the organization. The organization’s goal is to average 3,000 fans per game at the Colisee Videotron.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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